They don’t have Ryan O’Reilly, they don’t have Gabriel Landeskog, they don’t have Steve Downie.

They do have Joe Sacco behind the bench, he of the 25-42-6 record in the Northwest since taking over the Avs.

It’s part a larger trend where the Canucks have taken at least a point in 18 straight games against Colorado and one the last seven meetings at Rogers Arena.

I like those odds.

What to Watch: Colorado

The Avalanche also hold one of the few power plays currently worse than Vancouver’s. They’ve converted just one of fifteen chances so far, while their penalty kill has been giving goals away like Oprah.

Cue a home game against Colorado, a guaranteed slump buster.

There’s a chance Landeskog could play if he’s cleared and recovered from his massive hit he took Saturday night, but most likely the young captain will be forced to the press box.

Offseason signing PA Parenteau is one of the lone bright spots, leading the team in goals with three.

Line-up

Chuck Kobasew-Matt Duchene-PA Parenteau

Jamie McGinn-Paul Statsny-David Jones

Cody McLeod-John Mitchell-Milan Hejduk

Patrick Bordeleau-Mark Olver-Mike Sgarbossa

Erik Johnson-Ryan Wilson

Ryan O’Byrne-Jan Hejda

Greg Zanon-Tyson Barrie

Semyon Varlamov

What to Watch: Vancouver

It’s yet another chance to redeem blowing a two goal lead in the previous game.

The powerplay is now 0 for its last 10, frustrating especially when Friday’s blowout win over the Ducks was propelled by powerplay markers.

Still, as Jason Botchford points out, these slow starts are nothing new for Alain Vigneault and the Vancouver Canucks. There’s still a lot of hockey left and the standings in both conferences still look randomized.

Let’s all never forget the Minnesota Wild were the best team in the league until December last year.

Injuries

Vancouver – Ryan Keslerand David Boothare still hunting popcorn in the pressbox for at least a few more weeks. Maxim Lapierreis probably playing with a groin strain he picked up in practice late last week, considering how horrible he looked in the California long weekend.

Colorado – Sharks defenceman Brad Staurt decimated Gabriel Landeskog on Saturday, sending the young captain into the pressbox with head and leg injuries.

Steve Downie is out for the year with a torn ACL, while Ryan O’Reilly is still negotiating a new contract while playing in Russia.

Prediction

A nice cleansing home win. 4-2 Canucks. We all go home happy.

Gameday Tweets

The #Avalanche have not beaten the #Canucks in regulation time in 3 years. Colorado lost all six meetings last year vs. VanCity.